Thursday, May 18, 2010 Reading - John 20-21

What a great passage! This is the story behind Easter, the resurrection of Jesus and His subsequent appearances to Mary Magdalene, the disciples, and Thomas (who wasn't present with the disciples the first time). Then the awesome and heartwarming story of the reinstatement of Peter (who had denied Jesus three times).

I want to challenge you to read through this story imagining that you are one of the disciples and write about how this would have impacted your life and subsequently how it does impact your life now as a disciple.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010 Reading - John 18:19 - 19:16

What a moving passage. It's one thing to simply read it, but to imagine the reality of it is overwhelming. Jesus is questioned, punched, denied by one of His closest friends, and shouted against by a mob of His own people. God in human flesh was violently hated by many.

On one hand I can't imagine how that happened. He was perfect, He was humble, He was kind, how was He so hated? On the other hand I realize that His values were opposite of this world's (including the religious leaders). His focus was so different that for some He was hard to relate to and because of His confidence in God He was intimidating.

I wonder if He would be treated differently today? I wonder how He would be treated in our churches? I wonder how I would respond to Him?